About Northeastern Public Health
Northeastern Public Health (NEPH)/Santé publique du Nord-Est (SPNE) officially launched on January 1, 2025, bringing together the former Porcupine Health Unit and Timiskaming Health Unit.
After several years of exploring a merger and significant integration work throughout 2024, the Ontario government approved the merger in December 2024, making it one of Ontario’s newest health units.
NEPH/SPNE serves the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming, and the townships of Temagami and Hornepayne in Northeastern Ontario, making it the province’s largest health unit.
The organization is dedicated to strengthening public health across this vast region.
By combining the skills, experiences, and expertise of two established organizations, it is building a stronger public health agency to improve the health of people in all communities it serves.
As NEPH/SPNE moves into its second year of operations, its programs, services, and office locations continue to serve communities across the region.
The organization works closely with residents, community partners, First Nations communities, and municipalities across the northeast to maintain strong local connections and deliver the public health services the region depends on.
To learn more about Northeastern Public Health, please visit its website.
To learn more about some of the many attractive features of living in Timmins, please visit Move to Timmins.
About the Role
The Medical Officer of Health/Chief Executive Officer (MOH/CEO) reports directly to the autonomous Board of Health, and is the Executive Officer of the Board, responsible for the operations and leadership of the employees to meet the accountabilities of the Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS), address local public health issues, and protect and promote the health of the population.
This position is an integral leadership role, collaborating with key partners in local Municipal and First Nations communities, including governance, health, education, social services, urban Indigenous and others across the region.
The MOH/CEO establishes the agency’s priorities and works with the senior leadership team and partners to maximize efficiency, effectiveness, and other parameters, ensuring the best possible services for the people of the area.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic team of public health professionals through the next phases of a merger to shape the future of public health across a unique region.
Northeastern Public Health covers a region of over 290 thousand square kilometres, with 13 offices in 10 communities, and shares lands with 14 distinct First Nations communities and many urban First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, as well as a large Francophone population.
The main office is in Timmins, and the health unit supports a population of just over 125,000.
Qualifications
- Licensed to practice medicine by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
- Master’s degree in public health or other clinical training, e.g., Certification in the College of Family Physicians (CCFP) or Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCPC) in other disciplines with additional training in public health or applied public health practice, or a Fellowship in Public Health and Preventive Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
- Proven track record of leading transformational change and driving results in complex environments.
- Skilled at building strong, collaborative relationships across health disciplines and community-based organizations.
- Hands-on experience in financial management and resource optimization.
- Expertise in labour relations and team leadership.
- Experienced in emergency preparedness and response planning.
- Strategic thinker with experience in long-term planning and program development.
- Committed to advancing public health initiatives that make a measurable impact in communities.
Experience
- Experience in a senior health leadership role with responsibility for public health program development, implementation, and evaluation, including health promotion and disease prevention.
- Demonstrated success in building collaborative partnerships with governments, health system partners, and community organizations.
- Experience providing strategic advice to elected officials, community boards, and senior decision-makers.
Leadership Attributes
- A collaborative, trust-building leader who forges strong relationships and integrates perspectives across systems.
- A strong advocate for health equity, inclusion, and system transformation.
- A strategic communicator and trusted public spokesperson, particularly during high-profile or crisis events.
- A leadership style that values teamwork, shared accountability, and well-being.
While this is a permanent MOH/CEO position, the Board has committed to ensuring business continuity and organizational stability throughout the recruitment and onboarding process.
To support this, if needed, the Board has appointed an interim CEO.
This will enable flexibility and negotiation with interested and successful candidates who may wish to focus primarily on the MOH role, with executive leadership support in place.
Accessibility and Inclusion
We are committed to fostering an accessible, equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace.
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including those from equity-seeking groups, and value the diverse skills, backgrounds, and perspectives they bring.
In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), accommodation is available throughout the recruitment, selection, and employment processes.
Applicants requiring accommodation are encouraged to contact the hiring team to arrange appropriate support for their full and equal participation.
How to Apply
To express interest in this opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter in confidence to:
Patrick Rowan, Partner
prowan@feldmandaxon.com
This job posting is for an existing position with NEPH.
We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants at any stage of the hiring process.
All applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the Feldman Daxon team.